Transfer Application Instructions
The Common Application
UMass Amherst uses the Common Application.
Before beginning your application, read the instructions below, and review our Quick Guide to the Common App.
In Completing your Application please be mindful of the following sections:
Completing Your Application
In Completing Your Application please be mindful of the following sections:
Use your full legal name on all documents. Use this same full legal name on all of your application materials (including test scores). For U.S. citizens, this should be the name listed on your Social Security card.
If you intend to apply for financial aid, please enter your Social Security number accurately on your application. An omission or error will delay processing of your financial aid award.
Confirm that your mail address is correct and provide an email address that you will check frequently. Don’t forget to notify us if your mail or email address changes. Please add mail@admissions.umass.edu to your address book so that important emails from us do not go to your spam folder.
Providing this optional information on your ethnic background will assist the university in complying with state and federal laws and reporting requirements.
Selecting a Major
You are required to select an intended major, as well as choose an additional major of interest.
All transfer students are required to declare a major and then be admissible to that major in order to be accepted to UMass Amherst.
Art, dance, and music majors should file an admission application with the Admissions Office early to facilitate the audition or portfolio review process.
Why isn't my major on the application?
Architecture, education, and nursing majors are not included as major options on the application.
Architecture
Due to space limitations in the program, architecture is not available for transfer students. Alternate majors include: building & construction technology, landscape architecture, and sustainable community development.
Education
We offer an education major with concentrations in: Early Childhood Education (licensure), Special Education (licensure), and Community Education & Social Change (non-licensure). We do not admit transfer students directly into education. Instead, students need to apply to a different major (common major choices are sociology, psychology, or the discipline they want to teach) and then apply to change majors through the College of Education once they transfer. Please note: the internal application process is competitive and only occurs once a year; visit the College of Education’s website to learn more about this process.
Nursing
The nursing program does not accept transfer applicants. Students earning an associate degree in nursing can apply to the RN to BSN major, which is overseen by University Without Walls.
Essay
This is a required part of the application. Take your time writing your essay. Get feedback from your parents, a favorite teacher, or your school counselor. Proofread it carefully. We want to know something about you. This is an ideal opportunity to provide further information not apparent in your transcripts and other materials.
Transcripts
Request that all the colleges/universities you have attended send an official transcript directly to Undergraduate Admissions. Photocopies, student copies, emailed electronic college transcripts are not acceptable. If you apply during your first semester of college studies after high school graduation, or from colleges with non-standard grading systems, you must also submit official high school transcripts. Students who were home-schooled should follow these instructions for submitting their high school transcript.
Every school may have a slightly different process to request official transcripts but generally you can visit the Registrar’s Office website from your previous schools to request to have your official transcripts sent to UMass Amherst. In order for transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent directly from your previous institution to UMass Amherst.
If you have attended more than one college/university, you must have official transcripts sent from each school (whether or not credit is desired).
Many schools use electronic transcript services such as National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment to send official transcripts. If your school uses one of these services and you need to provide a UMass Amherst email to receive the transcript, please use elcolts@admissions.umass.edu.
If your school needs to send an official paper copy of your transcripts, please have the transcripts sent to:
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Undergraduate Admissions
37 Mather Drive
Amherst, MA 01003
Test Scores (Optional)
At UMass Amherst, standardized tests are optional for first-year entering applicants. UMass Amherst will review applications with or without standardized test scores. Students who have taken the SAT/ACT exams are welcome to send their scores.
Other Application Information
We will require English language proficiency exam scores for applicants who indicate their native language is any other than English.
Please do not send non-required supporting documents or items such as photographs, recordings, writing samples, awards or commendations, etc. If you would like us to know about a relevant activity, talent or award, please include that information in your essay.
Letters of recommendation are not required for transfer students
Students who have not been enrolled in college course work for one or more semesters after high school graduation must provide an explanation about the reason for the gap(s) in their education. This may take the form of a resume, a list of activities, or an essay. Please upload your gap explanation to your student status page as "Gap Explanation Statement."
Submit Your Application & Check Status
Once we receive your application, you will be sent an email to the email address you provided on your application. The email will include a link to your Student Status Page, your Username and a PIN. You will then be requested to create a password for yourself. (Note that this email may be delayed slightly during our busiest periods.) This link will give you access to your Student Status Page throughout the admissions process.
It is important that you check you Student Status page regularly and submit any missing credentials. Note that UMass Amherst is no longer mailing admissions decisions; all decisions will be found online.
If you have any questions about your account or you have general questions related to the admissions process, please call Undergraduate Admissions at 413-545-0222.